Commission reviews interagency climate-resilience annual report; members flag staffing and funding gaps

The committee received an overview of the Interagency Council on Climate Resilience's 2024 annual report, which compiles cross-agency climate actions and identifies projects relevant to the Pinelands Commission.

"In the case of the interagency council, they have 26 member agencies," the presenter said, summarizing the scale of coordinated work across state government. The report lists 88 actions taken in 2024 across six climate priorities and includes projects relevant to the Pinelands Commission (hazard mitigation, Blue Acres acquisitions, coastal resilience planning, and watershed improvement activities).

Committee members praised the breadth of coordination but repeatedly raised the limits of small staff capacity and the challenge of following up on interagency tasks. Participants suggested shared staffing arrangements (for example, partnering with the Highlands Council) or identifying a dedicated point person to engage with the council and capture opportunities for the commission.

Members also asked for clarity on financing programs referenced in the report, including resilience/stormwater funding and whether those programs could be tapped for projects in the Commission's master-plan priorities. The presenter advised the written report provides detail and the commission would follow up where necessary.

The update concluded with encouragement that the commission continue coordinating with other agencies and pursue potential funding streams to move planning items toward implementation.